Central Delaware Habitat for Humanity is pleased to announce their new Director of Homeowner Services, Maria Hynson. CDHFH is very grateful to have Maria join the team and she is already improving CDHFH’s Homeownership Program since she has joined the organization in December. Maria is looking forward to learning more about the Kent County community, their homeowners, and potential candidates for the CDHFH homeownership program. She hopes to make a big impact on the homeownership program by recruiting new partner homebuyers, facilitating quality educational programming to support those in need of a hand up, and working to build new relationships within the community.
Maria moved to Maryland from California, over 25 years ago — the Eastern Shore has been her home longer than anywhere else, and she has been involved in serving her beloved adopted community for years. Prior to her arrival at Central Delaware Habitat for Humanity, Maria served as an AmeriCorps National volunteer with Habitat International, as a Family Services Coordinator with Choptank Habitat for Humanity, in Talbot and Dorchester Counties in Maryland. She chose a year of service to learn new skills and relaunch her career, after losing her previous employment of 18 years at Washington College due to the pandemic.
While at Washington College, Maria was not only a staff member, but also a part-time student, earning her B.A. in the Humanities, with minors in Art History and Philosophy, in 2015. She spent nearly 12 years as a student leader, both in and out of the classroom, participating in many honor societies and student organizations, and as a vocal activist for non-traditional students and students experiencing homelessness or food insecurity, eventually founding support groups and facilities to assist them.
Most notably during her time at Washington College, Maria volunteered her free time as the staff advisor to the campus Habitat for Humanity Club, teaching students the value of moral courage and to adopt service work as a lifetime commitment. During the 13 years as the advisor, the club went from a fledgling group to one that was recognized for excellence on the local and national level. She is immensely proud of her service in this role, as the students who she advised now serve their communities in so many ways — even as full-time Habitat staff members!
As the Director of Homeowner Services, Maria plans to continue to practice her talents in education to make homeownership accessible, equitable, and sustainable in Kent County. She will continue to live in Maryland, where she likes to read, spend time with friends and family, binge-watch rom-coms, and still serves her Washington College community as a member of the Alumni Board.
